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ROW: The Conservatives have called for an 'urgent statement' over allegations that the Blaenau Gwent AM and natural resources minister, Alun Davies, breached the ministerial code over the £280 million Circuit of Wales race track in Ebbw Vale.

The Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats has also demanded that the First Minister publish the report of the investigation into the conduct of Alun Davies.

Kirsty Williams AM, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, added: “The events surrounding the actions of the Minister clearly show the need to change the way that the conduct of Welsh Ministers is monitored. It’s completely inappropriate for the First Minister to be in charge of investigating his own Cabinet.

“An independent body needs to be set up to oversee the Ministerial Code, and to investigate any breaches of it. The First Minister has had plenty of chances to act, but yet another Welsh Labour Ministerial scandal is passing by without a change to the system.

UPDATE: 10.45pm

THE Welsh Conservatives have called for an urgent statement from the First Minister after a probe into the conduct of his natural resources minister, Alun Davies.

The AM for Blaenau Gwent denied allegations that he breached the ministerial code over the £280 million Circuit of Wales race track in Ebbw Vale.

Tory AM Antoinette Sandbach had called for a formal investigation after reports said Mr Davies had contacted environmental body Natural Resources Wales in favour of the project.

After launching the investigation on June 10, First Minister Carwyn Jones said he requested that the Permanent Secretary reports back “within two weeks”.

Today, Ms Sandbach has tabled an urgent oral question to the First Minister in the Assembly, asking the First Minister to make a statement on the conclusions of the investigation surrounding the Natural Resources Minister’s conduct regarding the Circuit of Wales.

She said: “These are extremely serious concerns and answers are now overdue.

“The ministerial code is very clear and the minister’s actions are extremely disturbing. If a Labour Minister has used his position to secure an advantage in his own constituency – strong action must be taken by the First Minister.

“Given the millions in public money that is tied up within the Circuit of Wales project, the results of this investigation should be published urgently.

“This is clearly in the public interest – and delaying publication is unacceptable.”